Business - Daily Politics

Global financial markets showed signs of recovery on March 10 after President Donald Trump suggested the war with Iran might be nearing its end, offering relief to investors after weeks of heightened geopolitical tensions and oil price fluctuations.

In comments to CBS News, Trump indicated that "the war is very complete, pretty much," signalling a possible conclusion to hostilities. The remarks helped soothe markets rattled by the conflict's effect on energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which about 20% of global oil passes.

US stock indices recovered from earlier declines, while Asian markets saw strong gains, with ...

Oil prices have surged sharply after Qatar's energy minister warned that all oil and gas exports from the Gulf region could cease within days due to the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Brent crude increased by 4.4% to $89.17 a barrel on Friday, following Qatar's warning that the crisis could "bring down the economies of the world." If shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, prices could escalate to $150 a barrel within weeks, according to the minister.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, typically handles about one-fifth of global oil supplies daily. ...

Global financial markets have been shaken by escalating conflict in the Middle East, with Asian stocks suffering significant losses and oil prices rising on fears that the US-Israel war with Iran may become prolonged.

South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index closed 12% lower on Wednesday, marking one of its worst days in decades. Trading was temporarily halted after the index plunged more than 8%, triggering circuit breakers designed to prevent panic selling. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 3.6%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 2.5%.

The market chaos reflects increasing investor concern about an energy shock that could fuel inflation. Brent crude increased 2.5% ...

Online brokerage Robinhood Markets reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025, presenting a mixed picture for investors. The company announced record quarterly revenue, driven by a significant surge in retail trading activity. Key growth drivers included strong revenue from options and cryptocurrency trading, alongside increased interest income earned on customer cash balances.

Despite these positive metrics, the company's stock price fell considerably in after-hours trading. The main reason for the negative market response was that the record revenue still fell short of Wall Street analysts' expectations for the quarter. Furthermore, the company's forward-looking guidance seemed cautious to investors, raising ...

The artificial intelligence industry is driving a significant investment theme, with companies advancing AI infrastructure and software showing strong revenue growth. Industry giants such as Microsoft, with its strategic OpenAI partnership and dominance in cloud computing, and Nvidia, a leader in essential GPUs for AI data centres, are widely regarded as key holdings for exposure to this trend. These companies are considered to have durable competitive advantages as enterprise AI spending accelerates.

For investors seeking broader diversification, several AI-focused Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) offer access to a basket of companies across the AI ecosystem, from semiconductors to software. This approach can reduce ...

American bulk retail giant Costco has announced an ambitious expansion plan for the Australian market, aiming to open about 20 new warehouse stores over the next five years. This considerable rollout will significantly extend the company's presence in Australia, increasing competition within the supermarket and bulk retail sectors.

The expansion strategy includes targeting new markets, with active site searches underway. A major focus is on Geelong, where the company is looking for a suitable location for a new superstore to serve the regional population of Victoria. Simultaneously, similar plans are being considered for Hobart, which would mark Costco's entry into the ...

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has announced a massive plan to invest about $185 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure, changing expectations for capital spending across the Big Tech sector. Although the company reported strong fourth-quarter earnings that beat analyst predictions, this bold spending plan has received mixed reactions from financial markets, with initial worries about the short-term impact on profits and margins.

The investment focuses on a large expansion of data centres and the development of advanced AI chips to support the next generation of generative AI models and services. This move puts Alphabet at the leading edge of a ...

The Bank of England has decided to keep its key interest rate unchanged, maintaining borrowing costs at their highest level in years. This decision reflects the Monetary Policy Committee's ongoing effort to curb inflation, which remains stubbornly above the central bank's 2% target despite a slowdown in the economy. Wage growth and high services inflation are still cited as primary domestic pressures preventing a shift towards rate cuts.

For millions of households, the unchanged rate means continued financial strain. Homeowners, especially those nearing the end of fixed-rate mortgage deals or on variable rates, face higher monthly repayments, adding to the wider ...

Nationwide Building Society has announced significant changes to its savings and banking services for its 16 million members. The updates follow the mutual's landmark acquisition of Virgin Money, which has reshaped its product range and strategic focus. These changes affect savings rates, access to high street branches, and the overall value proposition for both personal and business customers.

A key update is the promotion of the Flex Regular Saver account, which offers a competitive 6.5% interest rate. Savers can deposit up to £200 each month for a year, after which the balance transfers to an instant access account. This product is ...

Advanced Micro Devices reported fourth-quarter financial results that exceeded Wall Street's expectations for both revenue and earnings. The company also provided a revenue outlook for the first quarter that surpassed analyst consensus estimates. Despite these positive financial indicators, the company's stock price declined markedly in subsequent trading.

The market's reaction highlights a divergence between solid financial performance and investor expectations, especially regarding the artificial intelligence sector. While AMD's data centre revenue, driven by AI processor demand, showed a strong quarterly result, the company's forward guidance did not meet the heightened hopes of some analysts. This sentiment was intensified by the disclosure ...